Retired Greg Biffle, NASCAR driver died with his family in a plane crash in North Carolina on Thursday, December 18, at age 55.
The former NASCAR driver, who had great success in Michigan, was killed alongside his wife Cristina and children Emma and Ryder, among others, during the plane crash in Statesville, North Carolina.
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“Greg was more than a champion driver, he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor and a friend to so many. His passion for racing, his integrity and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors had a lasting impact on the sport,” NASCAR said in a Dec. 18 statement.
Here’s what you need to know about Greg Biffle.
What happened to the Biffle family?
A Cessna C550 business jet owned by Biffle crashed off the end of the runway while landing at Statesville Regional Airport, about 40 miles from Charlotte, at 10:20 a.m. local time, resulting in several deaths, including Biffle, his wife Cristina (Grossu) Biffle, their son Ryder, 5, and Biffle’s daughter Emma, 14, from his marriage to his first wife Nicole Lunders.
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The plane was bound for Florida but attempted to return to Statesville Regional Airport shortly after takeoff in severe weather conditions, according to FlightAware, which tracks flight paths.
Dennis Dutton, Dutton’s son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth also died, according to a joint statement released by the families of those killed.
“We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones. This tragedy has left all of our families heartbroken beyond words,” the families said in the statement.
Who was Greg Biffle?
Born Gregory Jack Biffle in Vancouver, Washington, he had a successful career as a NASCAR driver, with 19 victories in 515 starts. He was a perennial playoff contender, according to NASCAR. Known as “the Biff”, he is considered one of the 75 greatest drivers in NASCAR.
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Biffle retired after the 2016 season.
How often did Greg Biffle race at Michigan International Speedway?
Biffle won four races at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, during his career. His wins came at the GFA Marketplace 400 in August 2004, the Batman Begins 400 in June 2005, the Pure Michigan 400 in August 2012 and the Quicken Loans 400 in June 2013, according to Motor Racing Network.
In total, Biffle raced 28 times at MIS with 10 top 5 finishes. He earned a 13.04 average at MIS, the best average for the former driver at any NASCAR track.
Did Biffle race the Xfinity Series?
In the NASCAR Xfinity SeriesBiffle has 20 wins in 244 starts, with 17 poles, according to OneBadWheel and Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet.
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USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: [email protected].
This article was originally published on Detroit Free Press: NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, family killed in plane crash. What we know
